Taking the kingdom forward

Following his father and grandfather, the gifted James O’Donoghue is the latest in a long line of skilful Kerry attackers

James O'Donoghue struck a penalty and scored from open play against Dublin in last year's All-Ireland semi-final (Dan Sheridan)

IT WAS something in the way James O’Donoghue kicked the penalty last year
without bothering about the Hill or Stephen Cluxton or the orchestra of
whistles in his ears that recalled Colm Cooper remembering his first big day
against the Dubs, walking past Hill 16 for the first time and looking up,
soaking up the roar and feeling every nerve-end bristle with excitement.
This was his place. His stage.

When corralled by a horseshoe of microphones after losing to Dublin last
August O’Donoghue didn’t talk about nerves either before the penalty, or
trying to figure out Cluxton's twitches on the line. He knew where he wanted
the ball to go, so he planked it there. Last month against Cork O’Donoghue
brought up the rear of the parade with a strut in his stroll that again
defied the nerves around him. Then he contented himself for the day
torturing Cork, like